Aaliyah’s mother has come forward to refute a former backup singer’s claims that R. Kelly had sexual intercourse with her daughter.
In a statement released Wednesday, Diane Houghton vehemently denied Jovante Cunningham’s recollection that she witnessed Aaliyah and R. Kelly engaged in “things that an adult should not be doing with a child” aboard a tour bus in 1994.
Houghton continued: “These lies and fabrications cannot be tolerated and allowed to be spewed from the forked tongues of saboteurs of Aaliyah’s legacy. My daughter only wanted to realize her dream of sharing her talent with the world, and give her all performing on stage, and in from top the camera for the fans she adored so much.”
She realized that dream, thanks to those true fans who still love and support her legacy unconditionally to this day. Shame on all those involved in this project who thought it kosher to drag Aaliyah’s name into a situation that has nothing to do with her today. Once again, this will not be tolerated.”
The two secretly married when Aaliyah was 15; Kelly 27. The marriage was subsequently annulled.
In Surviving R. Kelly, which is set to air today, his former personal assistant, Demetrius Smith, admits that he attended the wedding and aided in obtaining false documents for a then 15-year-old Aaliyah.